Meet the Experts
At Gardner White, we're not just calling ourselves experts just to sound cool. We really are the experts in furniture and mattresses! Below you can see all of our experts who inform you about our content, design, stock, and so on! We have hundreds of years of experience combined to help you with anything that you need to know about furniture or mattresses.
Ann Arbor
Jan David
Senior Sales Manager
Ann Arbor
Jan has spent 20 years devoted to the furniture industry and has been with Garder White for two of those years. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing as well as a Residential Interior Design Degree. Jan is fluent in both English and Tagalog, and is planning on adopting a dog soon!
Rudy Nakas
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Ann Arbor
In Rudy's 15 years of experience in the furniture industry he's spent three with GW. Rudy was trained as a barber by his father in Turkey before moving to the US in 1980, and, naturally, he speaks Turkish as well as Armenian. In his spare time Rudy loves to work on his yard at home.
John Segal
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Ann Arbor
John has 11 years of experience in the furniture industry, and has spent the last 3.5 years with Gardner White. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Biology, and is a cat dad to two cats, Shady and Blacky. He loves working for a Michigan-based company like GW, golfing, and coin collecting!
Auburn Hills
Tom Hija
Senior Sales Manager
Auburn Hills
Tom has been with Gardner White for only a year and a half, but he's been working in the furniture industry for over 20 years. This lifelong Michigander is a big football fan, particularly of the Detroit Lions and college football. Tom is a family man and his extracurricular activities revolve around taking his two teenaged children to their extracurricular activities!
Mike Metzler
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Auburn Hills
Mike is a 23-year veteran of the furniture industry and has been with Gardner White for the last three years. He's a member of GW's President's Club, and a graduate of Oakland University. Mike is an animal lover and is a pet dad to a dog named Stella, a cat named Errol, and two unnamed turtles. He likes to bang on the drums and produce artwork in his free time.
Gary Nash
Senior Sales Manager
Auburn Hills
Gary has been in the furniture industry for over 30 years, and he's spent 10 of those years with Gardner White. A former student of the Fashion Institute of New York, Gary is a former buyer of furniture and is well versed in the industry. His two terriers, Sadie and Baxter, spend time with him when he's working on something in his yard.
Shelby Patterson
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Auburn Hills
Shelby's 6 years of experience in the furniture have all been spent at Gardner White. She loves her houseplants, photography, and travel. In her free time she likes to travel to the west coast of Michigan and photograph its famous lighthouses.
Nick Vergos
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Auburn Hills
Nick has been in the furniture business for 12 years, and has been at Gardner White for the last two years. He's a member of our President's Club, and he speaks Greek fluently. In his spare time, Nick likes to watch sports, particularly football and basketball.
Canton
Tracy Silberschein
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Canton
Tracy has been in the furniture business for over 20 years, the last 6 years have been with Gardner White. She's a painter, and likes to draw in her free time. In her role as a furniture and mattress expert she really enjoys being able to meet new people all the time.
Howell
Sean Clarke
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Howell
Sean's five years of experience in the furniture industry have all been with Gardner White. He's a Sales Manager at the Howell store, and a member of GW's President's Club. Sean speaks a good amount of Spanish, and he's an avid outdoorsman. This father of one (one more on the way!) is very passionate about music, hockey, and being a Dad!
Ethan Keough
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Howell
Ethan has spent three and a half years in the furniture business, and all of those have been with Gardner White. He's currently in school working towards an Engineering degree. He's an alumni of the FFA organization, and he loves baking, sewing, and gardening.
Dan Logie
Senior Store Manager
Howell
Dan has spent all ten years of his experience in furniture with Gardner White. Dan is a hockey and football nut who was an attendee of Baker College. He likes to travel with his family, and his rowing family (on the water), and runs a successful fantasy hockey team!
Kristen Sheckler
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Howell
Kristen has spent 11 years in the furniture industry, and for the last 5 she's been with Gardner White. She's a mom of two boys, and a fur-mom to a husky named Loki. In Kristen's free time she enjoys cooking and spending time with her family. Her favorite part of working at Gardner White is that it's a fourth generation family-owned business.
Novi - West Oaks
Ali Bazzi
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Novi - West Oaks
Ali started his career in furniture three years ago with Gardner White. He studied psychology at the University of Michigan, and minored in philosophy. Ali is a fluent speaker of both English and Arabic. Ali devotes some of his free time to being a Chaplain's Assistant at the Wayne County Jail.
Monica Palmer
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Novi - West Oaks
Monica has been in the furniture business for 6.5 years and has been with GW for the last 3.5. She earned a bachelor's degree in Interior Design from the Illinois Institute of Art - Chicago in 2005. She's a wife and a mom to four kids, as well as a fur-mom to two german shepherds named Rocky and Rambo. For fun, Monica likes to dance and Zumba.
Ruth Sinawi
Design Studio Consultant
Novi - West Oaks
Ruth is a specialist in the Gardner White Design Studio, and she can assist anyone with creating the right look for their home. She's been in the furniture industry for 33 years, and has been with GW for three. Ruth is fluent in Chaldean, Arabic, and English, and she represents Gardner White's charitable partnerships within the Chaldean community.
Rochester Hills
Ann-Marie Hennessy
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Rochester Hills
Ann-Marie has been in the furniture industry for thirteen years, all of which have been with Gardner White! She is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Finance and Accounting, is a big sports fan, and loves to shop and spend time with her family!
Jodi O'Grady
Office Manager
Rochester Hills
Jodi has been in the furniture business for 22 years, and three of those years have been with Gardner White. You can typically find her behind the desk in the checkout area helping customers complete purchases and answering questions about their furniture. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys crafting and crime dramas.
Saginaw
Derris Gordon
Bedding Expert
Saginaw
Derris is a native to Saginaw, raised in Flint, MI. He's been in the furniture industry for 9 years, and has been with GW for the last year. He graduated from Flint Southwestern in 2009 and was an attendee at Grand Rapids Community College. Derris has a beautiful fiancé, and four kids who he absolutely adores!
Brandon Harris
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Saginaw
Brandon has spent five years in the furniture industry and has been with Gardner White for the last two years. He attended Delta College for a Journalism degree, and he still likes to read and write regularly. In his free time, Brandon enjoys being a father to four kids and spending time with his family.
Mason King
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Saginaw
Mason has been with Gardner white for two years, and that is how long he's been in the furniture business as well! Mason is proud to be GW's youngest President's Club member! He's a former student of Northwood University, a huge sports fan, and a fur-dad to his golden retriever Blondie.
Deon Pickett
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Saginaw
Deon has been in the furniture industry for 5 years, the last two of which have been with Gardner White. This former student of Jackson State University is a big sports fan, and loves playing fantasy football. Deon is a family man and loves spending time with his wife and kids.
Shelby - Hall Road
Stephanie Hommel
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Shelby - Hall Road
The 2.5 years that Stephanie has been with Gardner White are also the sum of her experience in the furniture business. She's a member of GW's prestigious President's Club, as well. Stephanie is a former student of Western Michigan University, and she loves her annual trips to her family home in Florida.
Louie Lucaj
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Shelby - Hall Road
All 16 years that Louie has been in the furniture industry has been with Gardner White. He's a volunteer for Shoqata Koja, a non-profit organization, and he speaks Albanian and all Slavik languages. When not helping customers or volunteering, Louie spends his free time with his family.
Keith Uddin
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Shelby - Hall Road
Keith has spent 30 years in the furniture business, and has been with Gardner White for an impressive 24 years. When he's not helping people realize their dream home with furniture, Keith likes to play golf, pool, to swim, and he's a fitness enthusiast.
Southfield
Rodrick Bell
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Southfield
Rodrick has been with Gardner White for 12 years, and has been a member of the prestigious President's Club for all 12 of those years! He's a big basketball fan, and loves being a father to his two kids. Rodrick's favorite part of working with GW is that each day brings new challenges.
Randall Noah
Senior Sales Manager
Southfield
Randall has been in the furniture industry for 6 years, and all but one of those years has been with Gardner White. He's been learning to speak Spanish, and is heavily into bodybuilding and fitness. Randall's favorite part of working for GW is how his training and support have helped him grow as a person.
Tajh Pelzer
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Southfield
Tajh is a 13-year veteran of the furniture business and has been with GW for the past two years. He's a married father to one son, and a fur-dad to a cat named Rubble. Tajh is originally from New York, is passionate about renovating and restoring homes, and is a huge horror movie fan!
Sharonda Wray
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Southfield
Sharonda has been with Gardner White for 3 years, and that's also how long she's been in the furniture industry. She's a member of GW's President's club, a mother to three adult daughters, and is an avid traveler. Sharonda's favorite destination so far has been Hawaii! She's active in her church, is a huge Detroit Lions fan, and is an admitted Netflix addict!
Taylor - Eureka
Donn Gulledge
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Taylor - Eureka
Donn has been in the furniture industry for 12 years, and has only been with GW for the last year. He is a former attendee of Henry Ford Community College, and is fan of basketball, amusement parks, and movies. When Donn is not assisting guests with their furniture needs he prefers to spend time with his kids and his German shepherd.
Dorothy Hamlein-Martinez
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Taylor - Eureka
Dorothy has worked for Gardner White for nearly three years, and that is how many years she's been in the industry too. She studied to become a Radiologist, and also fosters dogs in need of a home. Her own dogs, Laya, a Shepherd mix, and Nova, a pitbull mix call her their fur-mom. She loves to watch her daughter play volleyball, and is a movie buff!
Brian Paul
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Taylor - Eureka
Brian has spent all twelve years of his experience in furniture with Gardner White. His favorite parts of working at GW are the people, and the location, which is close to home. In his free time Brian like to spend time with his kids, and his cat named Izzy.
Mark Twitty
Store Sales Manager
Taylor - Eureka
Mark has been in the furniture business for 26 years, and has spent the last 21 years with Gardner White! He's a father to four daughters and one son and a grandpa to one granddaughter! In his free time, Mark enjoys woodworking projects throughout the house.
Warren - 14 Mile Road
Abeer Alwan
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Warren - 14 Mile Road
Abeer has spent all 11 years of his experience in the furniture industry with Gardner White. He's fluent in English and Arabic (all accents), and hold's a Bachelor's degree. Abeer is a fitness enthusiast, and loves electronics and movies.
Kiki Capo-Chichi
Senior Sales Manager
Warren - 14 Mile Road
Kiki has spent 23 years in the furniture business, and three years with Gardner White. Kiki is very passionate about tennis and soccer. He fluently speaks French, English, Swahili, Spanish, Creole, and many other languages! His favorite part of working for GW is the family atmosphere throughout the company.
Gene Lawnicki
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Warren - 14 Mile Road
Gene is a 20-year veteran of the furniture industry, and has been with GW for the past three years. He describes himself as a husband, a father, a caregiver, and an amateur fisherman. One of his passions is helping people achieve better health and wellness through sleep.
Vince Russo
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Warren - 14 Mile Road
Vince has been in the furniture for 15 years and all of those have been spent at Gardner White. Vince is a member of GW's prestigious President's Club which means he's very knowledgeable about all furniture and mattresses. He's a family man of Italian heritage, and is an avid boater and fisherman.
Waterford
Bryan Blank
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Waterford
Bryan has been with Gardner White for 8 years which is the sum of his experience in the furniture business too. He's been a member of GW's prestigious President's Club for the last 4 years. Bryan is a father of one (soon to be 2!), a husband, a Detroit Lions fan, and a fur-dad to a goldendoodle named Moxley!
Jeff Johnson
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Waterford
31 years, that's how long Jeff has spent in the furniture business! For the last three years he has called Gardner white his home. When not assisting customers, this native of the Rochester area likes to spend time with his rottweiler named Shelby, play golf and poker, and ride his bike around the local trails.
Elly Rocker
Sales Manager
Waterford
Boasting 10 years of experience in the furniture industry, Elly has been with GW for the last 2 years. She's also a member of Gardner White's President Club. Elly loves to play disc golf, camping, four-wheeling, and card games. She's a big family person and spends as much time with them as she can.
Ecommerce
Trent Carter
Ecommerce Manager
Ecommerce Team
Trent has spent 18 years in the furniture industry with 16 of those years being with Garnder White. He has a degree in IT Administration from Oakland University. When not online chatting with customers, Trent likes to spend time with his pitbull mix, Gideon, and his terrier mix, Koda.
Chris Curtis
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Ecommerce Team
For six years, Chris has made furniture his profession and having spent the last three of those years with GW. He's an avid videogamer, and even commentates eSports tournaments nationwide. He likes to wind down by spending time with his fiance and their orange kitty named Molly.
Brian Purofoy
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Ecommerce Team
Brian has been in the furniture industry for 12 years, and with GW for the last three. He's a retired semi-pro football player, formerly with the local Detroit team the Motor City Hawks. Brian is a die-hard fan of the Detroit Lions football team, and he's looking forward to marrying his sweetheart soon!
Dionne Wallace
ECommerce Office Manager
Ecommerce Team
Dionne has been in the furniture industry for 8 years and with GW for 3 years. She's a dedicated family woman. She's also a talented hairstylist and nail technician who likes to crochet in her free time. Dionne recently saved a kitten found as a stray in Gardner White's parking lot! She took him home and named him Nelle.
Andrew Yosua
Furniture & Mattress Expert
Ecommerce Team
Andrew has been in the furniture business for 9 years, 4 of which with GW. He's a graduate of Shippensburg University with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. He's a big animal lover, his five cats (Mahsco, Poe, Liddy, Kidman and Frankie) confirm that fact!
Industry
Venus Abrahim
Art Director
Venus is an 8-year veteran of the furniture industry and has spent the last three years with Gardner White. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Advertising Design from Wayne State University. She is proud to be a regular blood donor and is nearing the 11-gallon mark with the Red Cross. She speaks a little French and Chaldean, and loves art projects of all types.
Kevin Aldred
Associate Buyer/Mattress Expert
Kevin has been in the furniture industry for 23 years, and he spent 12 of those years as a furniture repair tech. For the last 11 years he has focused primarily on mattresses. This family man enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids as well as being an amateur home chef, focusing particularly on grilling and smoking meat.
Ken Baker
Studio Manager
Ken's role with Gardner White is to create imagery and vidoegraphy and oversee our in-house studio. He's a graduate of Michigan State Univerity (GO SPARTANS!) with a degree Graphic Design and Photography. Ken has been with Gardner White for the last 3 years and for 23 years has been in video production.
Broc Clark
Senior Creative Director
Broc is an interior designer, stylist and art director. He holds degrees in Interior Design from the University of North Texas and in Fashion Design from the Art Institute of Chicago. These have led him to a twenty-four year long career in furniture. In his spare time, he is an equestrian rider.
Will Daughtrey
Vice President of Merchandising
Will has been in the furniture industry for 24 years and with GW for 2.5 years. He's a father to two boys and a girl, a husband, and a graduate of the University of South Florida and Clemson University. In his spare time, Will tries to be an avid golfer!
Aime Fitzhugh
President of Clearance
Aime has been in the furniture for an impressive 50 years! For the last 25 years he has called Gardner White his home base. When not working on the latest clearance deals he likes to watch football, play golf, play with his rescued terrier mix, Abby, and sample new wine varieties.
Liz Gibbons
Studio Photographer
Liz has been a professional photographer for 19 years, and has been in the furniture industry for 18 years, 3 with GW! She also holds a bachelors degree from the College for Creative Studies. Liz is passionate about downhill skiing, and loves spending time with her two cats, Kurtis and Pancake.
Karen Gilbert
Director of Community Engagement
Karen has been in the furniture industry for 14 years, the last 4 years of those with Gardner White. Her current passion, and her most favorite part of working at Gardner White, is the annual America's Thanksgiving Parade for which she organizes employee volunteers.
Dave Higgins
SEO Analyst/Content Copywriter
Dave has been in the furniture industry in one capacity or another for the last decade and is a graduate of Colorado Technical University. When not writing about furniture he enjoys cooking for his family, guitar playing, oil painting, spoiling his calico kitty named Callie, and the Detroit Tigers. Dave also is learning to speak Norwegian.
Jackie Landry
Case Goods Merchandiser
Jackie is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Merchandising. She has five years of experience in the furniture industry, two of those with Gardner White. When she's not working with furniture, she enjoys playing with her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Tucker.
Julie Nagle
Home Decor and Furniture Merchandiser
Julie has been in the furniture and interior design industry for twenty years. For the last five years, she's been applying her expertise at Gardner White. A graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Fine Arts, Julie is a watercolor painter, interior designer, and a lifelong Michigander. She loves paddleboarding with her puppy, Daisy.
Aubrey Roskoskey
Advertising Coordinator/Content Writer
Aubrey is a graduate of the Kendall College of Art Design with a degree in Graphic Arts. She's been with Gardner White since 2021 in a couple of roles that have earned her the 'expert' label. She's an avid videogamer, and she enjoys spoiling her fat, orange tabby cat named Honey Bear.
Lynn Sebastian
President of Sales/Social Media Personality
Lynn has spent 23 years in the furniture industry and every scond of those 23 years has been with Gardner White! A local Michigander who graduated from East Detroit High School, Lynn loves spending time with her family and her dog, Roxie, and her cat, Lars. Her favorite part of working for Gardner White is that each day brings something different.